In the early hours of December 3, 2023, at around 3:20 am, Dallas Police Officers responded to a major accident call in the 10000 block of Shoreview Road Lake Highlands. Upon arrival, officers discovered 67-year-old James Smith lying in the parking lot.
According to the preliminary investigation, it was determined that as Smith's vehicle was being towed from the parking lot, he jumped onto the driver's side of the truck. During this incident, Smith fell from the truck and was run over. Emergency services promptly transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The tow truck driver, identified as 25-year-old Roberto Padilla, was later located at the Dallas Auto Pound. Padilla has been charged with Manslaughter in connection to the incident and has been taken into custody at the Dallas County Jail. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is ongoing.
